[color=#92978C][center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjcyLjkyOTc4Yy5VMjhnVkdoaGRDQlVhR1VnVFc5dmJnLjA/gift-of-christmas-personal-use.regular.webp[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/k38XVfL.png[/img] [img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjcyLjkyOTc4Yy5UV0Y1SUZCaGMzTWdWVzV6WldWdS4w/gift-of-christmas-personal-use.regular.webp[/img] [hr][hr] [img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjQ0LjkyOTc4Yy5SbWx1WVd4bE9pQkpibTV2WTJWdVkyVWdiMjRnWVNCUWFXdGwuMA/gift-of-christmas-personal-use.regular.webp[/img] [i]All of Covenant, The Sanguinaire, Sunny, Luna and Abdel [@Force and Fury], Evander[@RezonanceV], Desmond[@Th3King0fChaos], Ymiico[@Salsa Verde], Silas [@Tackytaff], Yuliya [@Suicharte], Trypano [@A Lowly Wretch], Khaliun, Viktor, Lissanon[/i] [hr] [youtube]https://youtu.be/Nsps0I58yUM[/youtube][/center] A being as bright as the sun itself gracefully shined a beam of light that consumed all that stood against her word. Born-on-Solstice had stepped forward into the battle just as the vampiric monster had begun to show murderous tendencies. The youths stood strong, but they were clearly no match to this man - A man without a clear goal or purpose here. How could they possibly defeat what they clearly did not understand? The light was finite, however, unlike the sun. The glimmer faded more and more as Sunny obliterated her way through the enemy’s defence and pushed him to a point not even Abdel’s perfect strike could. More and more, the heat steaming out of her outweighed the energy output, and soon Sunny appeared to be at a complete disadvantage to the hooded beast that laughed. That was until … The sun shined a bright Zenith for the third time this day. How could she suddenly have this much energy? The answer was going to appear far quicker than expected. Behind the Sanguinaire appeared a figure of the same size and build as the bright mass of energy that was assaulting him. One that immediately stabbed him in the back. If it weren’t for his immense power, he would be dead already. It didn’t matter. The monstrous 10 RAS twin levitated in the air, both hands charged with orbs of light that were condensed with as much power as the swift foe could muster up with his entire being. He had to escape. Fades-in-Moonlight, the woman who ruled the shadows and dove into the secrets of Dark Magic nearly as deeply as Paradigm himself, would not let him escape. Bound by her powerful Kinetic and Chemical magics, the Sanguinaire did not have the ability to escape. Not with the intervention of the students that withered him down even more. With a clap of her hands, Sunny conjured a massive serpent of pure, gold light that slithered around and above their one enemy. Maw agape and descending down onto the one that dreaded the very sun she mimicked, he was blessed with searing light that no being could hope to normally survive, let alone a Sanguinaire. After the bright flash that turned the sky blue for a mere three seconds, only a black, scorched spot was left where the target was previously, looking to have been vanquished … [hr] [color=36AE36][i]My Gods. What is this demon?![/i][/color] A panicked Viktor was watching half a block away, sitting behind a corner and only peeking from time to time. The warnings from some of the other volunteers and the sounds of battle had brought him to rush over, only to hide when he saw Evander he ejected from the stadium and into a home. He clutched his gun and utilised his most advanced skill: Concealment. A worthy skill for a hunter, and a coward. Although who could blame him? He clearly had as much experience as the students with [i]this[/i]. [color=36AE36][i]Lissanon you fuck. What have you done?![/i][/color] And then came the great lights. One that dimmed, and the one that flashed throughout the whole city, and was visible from Relouse. And suddenly, he was gone. The monster was gone, replaced by two Zenos, [color=36AE36][i]Oh thank the Pentad. Never thought I’d be so happy to see a Zeno.[/i][/color], although that relief would be short lived. The very one that had ‘slain’ the beast suddenly turned on the others, [color=36AE36]“Wh-”[/color] his heart sank as he saw the chaos unfold. Three other students were nearby: One with a bandana over his eyes, one with a gun, and one that was far too tall for a girl. His grip on his gun loosened as he witnessed something extraordinary. Something he had seen once before. All of them, upon hearing an echo he had managed to just barely capture, fell to their knees, many of which staying unconscious. This included the spectral Zeno that could even catch the Sanguinaire off-guard, [color=36AE36][i]The Holy See![/i][/color] he saw them and their magic. The five of Covenant, breaking off from their patrols to handle this matter, [color=36AE36][i]Which means they have eyes here![/i][/color] he kept perfectly still, making it nearly impossible for Charity to sniff him out thanks to his concealment. Although if she really focused, she could detect how much he profusely sweated. [color=36AE36][i]A traitor. The Volti. And the Traveller …[/i][/color] he overheard it all, as he was just at the edge of Cadence’s bubble, [color=36AE36][i]We need to leave now. This is getting way too hot.[/i][/color] In the wake of many inhabitants stirring on the streets to see what was up and the Holy forces working their way to mind-wipe, Viktor found his chance to slip through and make it back to the distillery early. [hr] [color=686A8F]“Arch Zeno?”[/color] inquired Lissanon at the arrival of a clearly panicked Viktor, [color=36AE36]“Holy See.”[/color] he replied as he gathered the little bit of gear they had brought, [color=36AE36]“And Zenos. Very powerful ones.”[/color] he quickly briefed his partner, [color=36AE36]“Who gave you this lead? This is a madhouse!”[/color] he growled at his partner as he flung his bag over his shoulder and prepared to book it. Lissanon didn’t appear in as much of a hurry, [color=686A8F]“The liaison did. What did you see?”[/color] he calmly inquired. Viktor stopped his frantic preparation and glared at the other Magusjager, [color=36AE36]“A monster.”[/color] [center][youtube]https://youtu.be/F15J9uemZrI[/youtube][/center] The darker skinned man sighed, [color=686A8F]“Then our intelligence was correct. But I didn’t expect one this old to show themselves in the Free City so carelessly …”[/color] he shook his head as he reached for his rifle, [color=36AE36]“Why didn’t you warn me?”[/color] he asked with an adamant tone, [color=36AE36]“Scheisse! Did you see how many got hurt?! They could have all died! I could have died.”[/color] Lissanon shrugged, [color=686A8F]“You knew the risks.”[/color] Viktor was not having it, [color=36AE36]“I could have died! Your partner, Guy …”[/color] an air of sadness came from his voice. Viktor’s body language softened, [color=36AE36]“But you knew.”[/color] Lissanon nodded again, [color=686A8F]“I did. I just did not expect it to turn out like this. Everything indicated a young Sanguinaire. And no survivors are expected from a High or Elder.”[/color] [color=36AE36][i]High? Elder?[/i][/color] the feeling of betrayal grew in Viktor, [color=36AE36]“Did you expect me to die in that case?”[/color] he asked with a shaking voice. Lissanon, after checking his empty gun and putting it back next to him, gave a half-hearted smile at his partner, [color=686A8F]“Yes.”[/color] and with that, with blinding speed that matched Yuliya’s, he was in front of the betrayed and shocked Viktor. His hand impaled the Kerremand’s chest, [color=36AE36]“Huh?”[/color] it was so fast he didn’t even have time to cough out the air and blood in his lungs. His eyes were wide and looking down at Lissanon, [color=686A8F]“I’m sorry Viktor.”[/color] he uttered in a soft voice as he rested his idle hand over the other’s shoulder, [color=686A8F]“You were caught at the bad end of-”[/color] Lissanon’s head exploded. Behind him was the barrel of a smoking rifle with no noise escaping from it. The impaled Viktor disintegrated into a mass of meat and linen kept together by weak chemical and kinetic magic, while the Viktor wielding Lissanon’s rifle stood firm at the back, [color=36AE36]“You were never good at tracking. Even for a bloodsucker, it seems.”[/color] he sighed and took a swig of whiskey to down what he had just experienced. The kids would be here soon - He had to clean up. There were three vials of Holy Water of the Sanguine Order they had brought along - He seized one and poured the contents over Lissanon’s body. It quickly began to dissolve: The clothing held decently, but anything organic was melting like butter. It was an abnormally potent acid from the looks of it, and its ‘holiness’ didn’t really appear to discriminate. All that would be left once the volunteers would return would be a pile of red goo, a lot of black, decomposed matter and thin, skeletal remains riddled with holes. The very tethered clothes revealed Lissanon’s identity, and have the school someone to blame. [color=36AE36]“Prost, little pups.”[/color] he raised his glass to the distillery. Viktor had opted to leave Lissanon’s own funds as a bonus to the group, as well as two vials of the Burning Order’s Holy Water, a Sanguinaire killing kit, and 62 Magi. They would not see Viktor in Ersand’Enise anymore and the Burning Order would have a few loose ends to tie up. [i][b]FIN.[/b][/i] [hider=Loot] [i][b]On this Adventure, the players of High Stakes have obtained the following:[/b][/i] ✤ [b]Vial of Holy Water of the Sanguine Order x2[/b] - A very potent acid that can dissolve a body in seconds. Potentially very valuable to study, or use. ✤ [b]Sanguinaire Killing Kit[/b] - Make sure to check its contents! ✤[b] 62 Magi[/b] to be shared among the participants! ✤ [b]Lissanon’s Rifle[/b] - A rifle that, while not enchanted, is purposefully made to ease silencing via magic. Packs a serious punch as it is made to kill Sanguinaire. [b][i]Lambs to the Slaughter loot will appear in Silas’ post, equating to:[/i][/b] ✤ [b]800 Magi[/b] to be shared if desired. ✤ [b]The Kinetic Gloves[/b] provided at the start. ✤[b] Sinn, the underworld broker, as a contact.[/b][/hider][/color]